Mayor Gloria Statement on Automated License Plate Readers and Keeping San Diego Safe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 13, 2026

CONTACT:
[email protected]

SAN DIEGO - San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria issued the following statement reaffirming his support for the responsible use of automated license plate reader technology:

"Keeping San Diegans safe is my highest responsibility as Mayor. Automated license plate readers have assisted in nearly 900 criminal investigations and allowed San Diegans to recover over $8.7 million in stolen property. The results speak for themselves.

"San Diego has also set the gold standard for transparency and oversight of surveillance technology. Our landmark TRUST Ordinance established a public review process, independent privacy oversight and clear requirements governing how surveillance technology is evaluated and used. We've strengthened those protections through auditing, public reporting and tighter controls on access to information.

"Public safety and privacy are not mutually exclusive. We can give our police officers effective tools while holding their use to rigorous standards. Where improvements are needed, we should make them, and we hold our technology providers accountable.

"San Diegans deserve a police department equipped to investigate serious crimes and a City government committed to protecting their civil liberties. My administration will continue to do both."

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